Learn from Executive Functioning expert Kristen Jacobsen
Learn from a leading expert
DVFriends was excited to host executive functioning expert Kristen Jacobsen as our Fall 2026 speaker earlier this month. Kristen is the co-director of Cognitive Connections Executive Function Practice in Massachusetts alongside Sarah Ward. She has over 30 years of experience coaching teachers and professionals around the world. She also co-created the award-winning 360 Thinking Program, which helps students improve their executive function skills at school and at home.
Kristen led a four-hour specialty training for our teachers, then gave a talk for parents and community members later that evening. She also sat down with Megan Fairchild, our Director of Teaching and Learning. They discussed how executive functioning challenges look in different diagnoses, how parents can help kids build their own coping strategies, and what new research shows about the brain.
Below, we’ve gathered the best moments from Kristen’s conversation with Megan:
Has there been any new research into executive functioning?
In younger children, how do you distinguish normal developmental challenges from signs predicting more substantial future challenges?
How can families best support their child who struggles with executive functioning at home, so they can success at school and in the world?
What do most people misunderstand about executive function skills?
How do EF challenges manifest differently depending on a child's diagnosis?
Why does it take so much time and effort to remediate EF struggles?
Interested in how DVFriends can help your child?
If you are unsure if DVFriends serves your student's learning profile, please contact the Admissions Office to speak to Jim Miller or Kavitha Patel.
Kavitha Patel
Assistant Director of Admissions, Director of Financial Aid
(610) 640-4150 x2120
Assistant Director of Admissions, Director of Financial Aid
(610) 640-4150 x2120